Emotional and Mental Health NeedsDifficulty 3/5
A resident with dementia insists on going home to a house that was sold years ago. What is the appropriate response?
- AExplain clearly that the house was sold and the resident now lives here
- BAgree that the resident will go home later that afternoon as requested
- CLeave the resident alone until the agitation subsides on its own
- DRespond calmly, look for an unmet need, and redirect to something familiar
Show answer and rationale
Correct: D. Section 483.152(b)(5) covers appropriate responses to the behaviour of cognitively impaired residents and methods of reducing the effects of cognitive impairment. Behaviour is usually communicating an unmet need.
- A — Correcting a resident with dementia raises distress and does not change the belief.
- B — A promise that will not be kept is a deception and the distress returns.
- C — Withdrawing leaves an unmet need unaddressed and the resident unsupervised.